Hepatitis C: Updates in Epidemiology and for Treatment with Direct-Acting Antivirals

Hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common blood-borne viral infection in the United States and continues to be a major cause of hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Since 2013, direct-acting antivirals have revolutionized HCV care. Older therapies were poorly tolerated and had limited efficacy; current therapies are well tolerated and cure the vast majority of patients who initiate them and remain adherent. Widespread HCV screening, implementation of behavioral prevention strategies and risk mitigation, and treatment of infected individuals with direct-acting antiviral therapy continue worldwide to reduce related comorbidities.